There will be no chance for the Russellville Cyclones to get revenge on the Alma Airedales in the 28th annual Cyclone Classic held inside Cyclone Gymnasium on Thursday. Alma has won the classic three years in a row and defeated Russellville for the title 64-56 last year.

But the Airedales won’t be attending this year — they’re hosting the Crawford County Tournament on the same days.

Despite the loss of last year’s champions, Cyclones head coach Codey Mann said the Classic is tougher this year than it has ever been. Alma has been replaced with the Clarksville Panthers.

Clarksville, which won the 2010-11 Class 4A state title, the 2011-12 Class 5A state title and was bumped from the 2012-13 Class 5A state tournament in the semi-finals in a game which many considered to be the true championship game, will join Camden Fairview, Russellville, Sylvan Hills, Sheridan, Mountain Home, Arkadelphia and Subiaco in the Classic.

Russellville will play their first game against Mountain Home, a team which Mann described as being very similar to the Cyclones.

“They’re a smaller team than we usually play and from a match-up stand points, it won’t create as much of a disadvantage for us,” Mann said. “But we expect Mountain Home to come in and give us some good competition.”

Russellville has yet to win a game this year, but Mann said the team has yet to give up home.

“We’re still a young team. We play two or three sophomores every game. We’re definitely a work in progress, but with the football players coming in and getting the chance to actually practice with us, it will definitely help,” the coach said. “We might be 0-3 but this is one of the toughest schedules I’ve played since I’ve been here.”

This year’s Classic is fully sponsored by Phil-Wright Auto-Plex and American Homes of Russellville. Additionally, Feltner’s Athletics donated 20 shirts per team to the tournament. Mann couldn’t be more pleased.

“It’s been great. Having a sponsor takes the burden off the booster club. We give each team 300 dollars to participate in the tournament, so that gives them money to eat on or to use for a hotel if they need it. All $2100 dollars have been provided and that’s a great thing,” Mann said. “And Feltner’s donating shirts is great. When we go to tournaments like this and the kids get shirts, they really like that. They wear them around all the time. I’m really glad that we’re going to be able to do that.”